Sabotage Alert: Attempts to Cripple Tourism by Exaggerating Disaster

 Mr. Rodney Armstrong, President of the Kandy Tourist Hotel Association and Managing Director of Mahaweli Reach Hotel, emphasizes that some groups are systematically attempting to cripple the country's tourism industry by falsely exaggerating the recent adverse weather conditions. He made this statement while addressing the media in Kandy on the 3rd.

Claiming that the disaster situation in the Kandy area has not yet subsided, the President pointed out that a cunning campaign is underway to frighten foreign tourists and prevent their arrival.

He mentioned that these groups are obstructing the tourism industry by spreading false rumors, specifically that hotels in Kandy city are flooded, and that there is no electricity, water, road facilities, or even food and beverages.

However, the situation in Kandy has now completely returned to normal, and all tourist hotels are open. There are no issues with electricity or food within the city, and all main roads leading to Kandy, including those from Colombo, Kurunegala, and Mahiyangana, have been opened for traffic.

Mr. Armstrong also confirmed that major tourist attractions such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens are open as usual.

As a large number of tourists are already arriving in Kandy, the Tourist Hotel Association requests visitors not to be misled by the false propaganda spread by these fraudulent groups and to come. While the government is working to manage the minor existing disruptions, Mr. Rodney Armstrong further stated that the government should take strong action against saboteurs who are attempting to destroy the tourism industry by using the disaster situation as a tool.